Monthly Archives: April 2013

Media release from The Hon Peter Ryan MP, Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Minister for Regional and Rural Development

Bendigo businesses aiming to spread the benefits of the new $630 million Bendigo Hospital Redevelopment will be aided by new Victorian Coalition Government funding, Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional and Rural Development Peter Ryan said today.

Speaking at the new hospital’s project site, Mr Ryan announced $350,000 from the Coalition Government’s Regional Growth Fund for the Leveraging the Benefits of the Bendigo Hospital Project.

The project aims to improve local career opportunities, support local businesses wanting to secure work on the redevelopment project and ensure the local economy maximises the benefits of the huge investment.

“Bendigo is on the brink of phenomenal construction activity,” Mr Ryan said.

“The scale and complexity of Bendigo’s new hospital is unprecedented, with the Coalition Government investing $630 million in this very important regional infrastructure project, expected to employ 735 workers at the peak of construction.”

Under the Leveraging the Benefits of the New Bendigo Hospital project, a special steering group would be established and charged with the responsibility to align local efforts to optimise the Coalition Government’s major investment.

Together, the City of Greater Bendigo, Bendigo Health, Bendigo Business Council, Department of Health, Industry Capability Network, Loddon Mallee Regional Development Australia Committee and Regional Development Victoria will focus on:

increasing local apprenticeships and workers employed in the construction;

ensuring local construction and supply chain businesses tender for contracts; and

Mr Ryan said the project would deliver a world-class hospital with state-of-the-art facilities for the community of Bendigo and north west Victoria.

“The Coalition Government is on the front foot to ensure that this unique opportunity for local businesses to generate jobs, contribute skills and experience and develop new expertise is taken advantage of to the fullest extent,” Mr Ryan said.

“The Coalition Government knows sustained regional growth is vital for the future prosperity of Victoria.

“That’s why the Coalition Government created the $1 billion Regional Growth Fund (RGF), Victoria’s largest ever regional growth initiative. The RGF leverages co-investment from the private sector and all levels of government to maximise jobs and benefits to local communities.

The Regional Growth Fund has so far provided:

$3 million to the Sandhurst Theatre to help build a two-level 1,000 seat theatre complex at the old gaol site creating 56 direct jobs, 129 indirect jobs and 121 construction jobs;

$2 million to Hazeldene’s chicken farm for an upgrade and expansion creating 100 new direct jobs, 1,000 indirect jobs and 100 construction jobs;

$2 million to the Greater Bendigo City Council for a library and community hub;

$2.5 million and $2 million to Campaspe Shire Council and Mt Alexander Shire Council respectively for local infrastructure; and

$1.8 million to Loddon Shire Council and $2.5 million to Mitchell Shire Council for local projects.

“The RGF has already allocated more than $12 million across 12 Bendigo city projects with a total project value of $53 million,” Mr Ryan said.

“Across Victoria, the RGF has already invested more than $250 million into 900 projects worth more than $900 million, expected to create almost 3,700 direct jobs and a further 3,800 indirect jobs. Yet Labor aims to destroy the RGF should it be returned to government.”

Media Release from The Hon Dr Denis Napthine MP, Premier, Minister for Regional Cities, Minister for Racing and The Hon David Davis MLC, Minister for Health, Minister for Ageing

The Exemplar consortium has been announced as the preferred bidder for the Bendigo Hospital Project, Premier Denis Napthine said today.

“This is a significant milestone for one of the largest regional healthcare projects in Australia,” Dr Napthine said.

“This project will deliver a world-class hospital with state of the art facilities for the community of Bendigo and north west Victoria.

“The Victorian Coalition Government is delivering on its pre-election promise to build a bigger and better hospital for the Bendigo region.

“Our $630 million commitment is unparalleled and will ensure the communities of Bendigo and the north west have access to top-notch health care and specialist services.

“This project will generate more than 770 jobs and deliver enormous flow-on benefits for the community,” Dr Napthine said.

“Construction will begin shortly with the project to be completed in 2016.”

The project will deliver:

a new hospital built on one site at Barnard Street;

372 new beds and 10 new operating theatres;

an integrated cancer centre and mental health unit; and

a helipad to be built on top of a new multi-story car park on the Lucan Street site. A bridge link will connect the car park to the main hospital site,

making it easy for patients and visitors to get to the hospital and other amenities.

Minister for Health David Davis said the Victorian Coalition Government had met its election commitment and was set to deliver much more.

“The Coalition Government, through the Public Private Partnership and Best and Final Offer tender process, has driven a better deal, better value for money and additional amenities for the community of Bendigo and north west Victoria,” Mr Davis said.

Mr Davis said the new Bendigo Hospital Project will also deliver:

a childcare and wellness centre;

128 serviced apartments and 15 apartments for short stay accommodation;

new kitchen, supply and linen handling facility within the new hospital;

180 seat conference facility;

a large atrium as the entrance with retail, cafes and multiple internal courtyards;

enhanced landscaping across the entire hospital precinct;

refurbishment and re-use of some heritage buildings; and

the latest integrated technology nurse call system.

The lead parties within the Exemplar consortium are:

Capella as sponsor and financial adviser;

Lend Lease as the builder;

Bates Smart as the architects and Silver Thomas Hanley as the health planners; and

Spotless Services as the facilities/ maintenance manager.

Minister for Health David Davis said the Victorian Coalition Government had met its election commitment and was set to deliver much more.

“The Coalition Government, through the Public Private Partnership and Best and Final Offer tender process, has driven a better deal, better value for money and additional amenities for the community of Bendigo and north west Victoria,” Mr Davis said.

Stage 2 of the Bendigo Hospital Project includes the construction of a 65 metre, 2 storey, air link bridge over Arnold Street. This will link the helipad and car park, which is currently under construction, with the new hospital building. more »